Neglect / Abuse

The Prosecutor’s Office provides legal counsel to the Department of Human Services - Child Protection Services Division in cases involving the abuse and/or neglect of children by their parents or guardians, in Family Court.

Goal
The goal of these cases is to obtain a safe and healthy permanent placement for these children who are unable to protect themselves from abuse and/or neglect. Sometimes that safe and healthy permanent placement is with their parent or guardian (after various services are provided to the parent and the child), and sometimes it is with an adoptive family.

To reach this goal, the Prosecutor’s Office works with:

Attorneys

The child

Court Appointed Special Advocates

The Department of Human Services

The Family Court Judge

The Family Court Referees

Foster care and adoption agencies

Law enforcement

The parent

Various community service providers

The office works with all of these people and organizations to ensure that all parties receive due process (that the law is being followed) and that the child’s needs are being met.